At an unforgettable show in Beijing, Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli captures our hearts
On a chilly November evening in Beijing, surrounding the Aman Summer Palace, which once served as the emperor’s holiday home, trees adorned in autumn foliage rustled in the wind. Inside, the fashion set, who had descended en masse to the Chinese capital from every corner of the world, waited with bated breath for couture master Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Valentino show to begin. All we knew about the exclusive capsule collection, shown outside the haute couture calendar for the first time, was its name: Daydream.
See also: Inside Valentino Haute Couture's Emotional "DayDream" Fashion Show In Beijing
What populated Piccioli’s dreams? A marriage of two disparate cultures—part of his ongoing vision of greater inclusiveness in the industry, wrapped in frothy frocks, big bows and tiers of tulle. Showcasing the spirit of the Italian Renaissance with splashes of Chinese imperial splendour, black, Caucasian and Asian models swanned through the majestic halls in decadent dresses to an operatic soundtrack.
First came a voluminous pink gown layered over a glittering turtleneck, followed by a hooded cape drenched in feathers and then a blooming bow jumpsuit with a 1.5-metre train. Another model emerged in a crystal mask and majestic gown with fanned shoulders, adorned in rich gold and silver embroidery reminiscent of ancient Chinese robes. By the time Shanghai-born supermodel Du Juan appeared, doused in three-dimensional foiled flowers, guests were wiping away tears.
